Meerkats and monkeys at Porfell Wildlife Park
Close to Looe, Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary is home to animals from around the world. Started in 1989, it’s so much more than a zoo!
You never quite know what new “residents” you will see as they offer a home to an ever-changing collection of neglected and injured animals. They also take in illegally imported animals that have been confiscated, and pets that their owners can no longer manage. See newborn babies, watch owls in flight and enjoy hands-on demonstrations by rangers and staff.
As well as visiting and supporting Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary, you can even adopt one of the residents! Note to parents – kids get their very own pet lemur / meerkat / monkey and there’s no feeding and walks in the rain! You’ll get a photo, an adoption certificate and a guest pass to visit your adoptee once a year (and the feel-good factor is priceless).
Address: Porfell, Trecangate Lanreath, Liskeard, PL14 4RE
Entry: Under 3s free, Children (3 to 15) £7.00, Adults £10.00, Seniors £8.00, Families (2 adults, 2 children) £32.00
Open: Daily 10:00 until 16:00
Screeeeeeech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park!
Head down to Goss Moor near Indian Queens and you’ll find some creatures with very antisocial behaviour! Late night parties and blood-curdling screeches are commonplace at the Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park. It’s a hoot!
What I love about this Cornwall animal attraction is the fact that there is so much going on. Hands-on demonstrations, ranger talks, flying displays and feeding sessions take place hourly and it feels so up-close and personal. They feature different animals at each event but you can expect to meet owls, raccoons, meerkats and more. They also offer unique opportunities to “Get to Know an Owl”. If you don’t know your Barn Owl from your Milky Eagle Owl, this is the place to meet them all.
Address: Trewin Farm, Goss Moor, St Columb, TR9 6HP
Entry: Under 3s free, Children (3 to 14) £9.00, Adults £12.00, Concessions £11.00, Families (2 adults, 2 children) £36.00
Open: Daily 10:00 until 17:00
Award-winning Newquay Zoo
For a more traditional zoo experience, Newquay Zoo is run as a Conservation and Education Charity. They house over 1,000 animals ranging from Agouti to Zebra with plenty of larger animals including lions. There are a few surprises in store, such as the bright Electric Blue Geckos which are critically endangered. Where else are you likely to see such things!
The zoo has lots more than the animal enclosures. There are outdoor play areas, a Secret Garden for a shady stroll, a stunning Oriental Garden with a thoroughly Japanese flavour and a Free-flying Bird Enclosure. See if you can spot the rare Javan Green Magpies that are well disguised!
Address: Trenance Gardens, Newquay TR7 2NL
Entry: Under 3s free, Children (3 to 15) £11.15, Adults £14.85, Concessions £12.60, Families (2 adults, 2 children) £46.75
Tickets: Buy your tickets now
Open: Daily 10:00 until 17:00 (last admission at 15:00)
Down on the farm at Dairyland Farm Park
Few youngsters get the chance to spend a day on the farm, so Dairyland is a fun farm-themed attraction with an interesting educational angle. As well as enclosures of farm animals there are plenty of cute and cuddly creatures to pet in the Hay Barn.
Dairyland also has plenty of indoor play in the Bull Pen. There’s an interesting Museum of Farming and Local Life including Vintage Tractors and a reconstruction of the original farm dairy. You can even try your hand at milking the full size model cow, Clarabelle. Youngsters can enjoy pony rides, sand pits with real diggers, trampolines, slides and pedal tractors – something for everyone!
Address: Tresillian Barton, Summercourt, TR8 5AA
Entry: Children (under 80cm) free, Children (over 80cm) £11.95, Adults £13.95, Concessions £11.95, Public Service £11.00
Open: Daily 10:00 until 17:00
Paradise Park for bird lovers
For those who prefer feathered friends to four-legged animals, Paradise Park is just the place for you. With over 1,200 exotic and colourful birds from all over the world, it’s a real treat. Free-flying bird shows, open flight areas, daily events and a big Play Barn, it has plenty to keep families busy all day.
Newly awarded Gold in the 2021 Cornwall Tourism Awards, it’s a well organised wildlife attraction. See Caribbean flamingos with their curved beaks, cute Humboldt’s Penguins, eagles, hawks and vibrant (and noisy) maccaws as well as miniature donkeys, rare Red Pandas and other more familiar creatures. Have your camera ready at this thrilling wildlife attraction!
Address: 16 Trelissick Road, Hayle, TR27 4HB
Entry: Under 3s free, Children (3 to 16) £10.75, Adults £14.45, Concessions £13.00, Families (2 adults, 2 children) £47.50
Tickets: Buy your tickets now
Open: Daily 10:00 until 17:00
Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Helston
Seals are often spotted bobbing around harbours in Cornwall in search of an easy meal from passing fishing boats. However, to see them up-close, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a great place to visit.
As well as providing a refuge for injured seals, sea lions and penguins, each year the sanctuary has dozens of orphaned pups to take care of before returning most of them to the sea.
Visitors learn how to feed a seal pup and take its temperature on a dummy pup before watching the “real” seals swim and dive from the underwater viewing area. There are lots more things to see and do on your visit, but we don’t want to spoil all the surprises so you’ll have to visit and see for yourself!
Address: Rose Terrace, Gweek, TR12 6UG
Entry: Under 3s free, Children (3 to 15) £12.50, Adults £15.50, Concessions £14.50, Families (2 adults, 2 children) £48.00
Tickets: Buy your tickets now
Open: Daily 10:00 until 17:00 (last admission at 15:00)
Looe Monkey Sanctuary
One of Cornwall’s oldest and best-loved animal attractions is the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe. Who can resist a smile when you get up-close to these cute little primates including Capuchins, Woolly Monkeys, Patas Monkeys and Barbary Macaques? They enjoy spacious purpose-built enclosures in their new safe home environment.
Currently the Monkey Sanctuary cares for around 40 individuals, each with their own character and needs. Check out the Keeper for a Day experience (it’s unforgettable!) and help support this important sanctuary by visiting the tea room and gift shop.
For those who love a bargain, pay once and get 12 months access to the sanctuary for free.
Address: Murrayton House, St Martin, Looe PL13 1NZ
Entry: Under 4s free, Children (4 to 15) £5.00, Adults £9.50, Concessions £7.00
Tickets: Buy your tickets now
Open: 2021 – Weekends and school holidays until 31st October 11:45 until 16:30. Closed during winter.
Tamar Valley Donkey Sanctuary
Where better to spend your retirement than in the beautiful Tamar Valley? That’s what the four-legged residents no doubt think at the Tamar Valley Donkey Sanctuary in St Ann’s Chapel.
There are plenty of opportunities to interact with donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits. Bring a few carrots and you’ll definitely get their attention! Stroll around the grassy paddocks, enjoy the outdoor play area or head to the Indoor Play Barn. It has six different play zones with fun for all ages. Best of all, Holly’s Cafe is the perfect place to tuck into a Cornish Pastie or a Cream Tea!
Address: St Ann’s Chapel, Gunnislake, PL18 9HW
Entry: Under 2s free, Children (2 to 15) £8.50, Adults £8.95, Concessions £8.50
Tickets: Buy your tickets now
Open: 10:30 until 16:30 on these dates.
Book your dream holiday cottage in Cornwall and some of these attractions are right on your doorstep!
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.